Expansible linkage for use in making a watch bracelet or similar article

ABSTRACT

An expansible linkage for use as a bracelet having two rows or links, each link of one row having its longitudinal centerline located substantially above the longitudinal centerline of the corresponding link of the other row when the linkage is in its contracted position and viewed from the side.

United States Patent lnventor Appl'. No.

Filed Patented Assignee EXPANSIBLE LINKAGE FOR USE IN MAKING A WATCH BRACELET R SIMILAR ARTICLE 12 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

0.8. CI. ..59/79, 63/5, 2l4/4 Int. Cl. F16; 13/24 Field of Search ..59/79, 79.5; 63/4. 2l4/4.8.4.ll

Stephen F. Bert [56] Relerencee Cited 3:31 marwkk, n.1, unmsn STATES PATENTS A 3 1969 2,689,450 9/1954 Stiegele 59/79 351 3,307,348 3/1967 Vanover 59/79 fg h 3.416.305 12/19es Rieth 59/79 pmmmm'u FOREIGN PATENTS 1,146.6!0 5/1957 France 59/79 Attorney-Robert L. Thompson t 1 5G 1 I 1. 991 J m '4 Q A A k 5 m. lk

Primary Examiner-"Charles W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-Gene P. Crosby AfiSTRACT: An expansible linkage for use as a bracelet having two rows or links, each link of one row having its longitudinal centerline located substantially above the longitudinal centerline of the corresponding link of the other row when the linkage is in its contracted position and viewed from the side.

PATENTEBMM; 3mm 3.5981464 SHEET 1 OF 2 paiayflammm ATTORNEYS 'PATENTEDAUB 3mm 3,596,464

SHEET 2 [1F 2 INVENTOR STEPHEN F. BERT ATTORN EYS EXPANSIBILIE LINKAGE FOR USE IN MAIIIING A WATCH BRACELET R SIMILAR ARTICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an expansible linkage for use in making a watch bracelet, an identification bracelet or similar articles ofjewelry.

One of the most satisfactory types of expansible linkages which have been used for making watch and identification bracelets since 1951 includes two rows of overlapping, staggered links in which each link extends in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage. U-shaped connecting members having legs located within the links of the upper and lower rows connect the links to each other. At least one flat spring is located within each link of at least one row of links and extends from one wall of the link to engage the legs with an initial deflection. The initial deflection of all of the springs is sufficient to urge the links of the band to fully contracted position. The ends are further deflected when the linkage is expanded by stretching it to slip a wristwatch and bracelet over the hand of the wearer to his or her wrist. When the stretching force is released, the springs act upon the legs and the legs act upon the links to cause the links to return to a nearly contracted position in which the linkage grips the wrist with sufficient pressure to prevent movement thereof longitudinally of the wrist but without enough pressure to cause discomfort to the wearer. In removing the watch and bracelet from the wrist, the linkage is expanded by stretching it and the combination is pulled over the wearers hand and released, whereupon the linkage returns to fully contracted position. This type of linkage is disclosed in U.S. Pats. Nos. 2,689,450 to Karl E. Stiegele and 3,307,348 to Wallace F. Vanover and in U.S. Pat. applications Ser. Nos. 750,560 and 779,888 filed Aug. 8 and Nov. 29, 1968 respectively. Other modifications are known to persons skilled in the art.

In the commercial embodiments of the aforesaid prior art linkages the links are substantially rectangular in cross section. Because the links of one row are staggered with respect to the links of the other row, the ends or crosspieces of the U- shaped connecting members are substantially perpendicular to the other surfaces of the linkage when the linkage is con tracted and viewed from the side. It is therefore necessary to provide a space or gap between the inner faces of the links of the top and bottom rows to permit expansion of the linkage without interference or friction between the inner faces of the links when the linkage is expanded and contracted. This results in a relatively thick linkage.

Furthermore, the amount of expansion is limited by the relatively short distance on the endpiece between the axes of the legs of each connecting member. This requires the use ofa substantial number of links to provide sufficient expansion for the watch and bracelet to be slipped over the wearers hand to his wrist. This limited expansion also places a restriction upon use of such a linkage with nonexpansible sections such as segments of mesh which is desirable to provide different ornamental design effects for the bracelet as a whole.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of this invention is to provide such a linkage in which greater expansibility can be provided.

Yet a further object is to provide such a linkage which is economical to manufacture and durable in use.

Another object is to provide an expansible linkage for use in a bracelet which is thinner than the aforesaid prior art linkages.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the following description.

In general, the invention comprises a linkage wherein when it is in contracted position and viewed from the side, the longitudinal axis of the first leg of a first connecting member is located at one side of the longitudinal centerline of the first link of the first row of links, the longitudinal axis of the second leg of this connecting member is located at the opposite side of the longitudinal axis ofa first link in the second row of links, the longitudinal axis of the leg of the second connecting member which is located in the first link of the first row of links is located at the opposite side of the longitudinal centerline of the first link from the longitudinal axis of the first leg of the first connecting member and the longitudinal axis of the other leg of the second connecting member is located at the side of the longitudinal centerline of a second link in the second row of links which is towards the first link in the second row.

In the resultant linkage the end members of the connecting members are substantially parallel to each other and their Iongitudinal centerlines are inclined at an oblique angle to the outer surfaces of the linkage when it is contracted and viewed from the side. i

This provides connecting members having end members which are longer than in the prior art linkages.

Because the end members are longer the distances between the axes of the legs are greater and greater expansibility results from the use of the same number and size oflinks as in a prior art linkage where the longitudinal centerlines of the end members of the connecting members are substantially perpendicular to the outer surfaces of the linkage when it is contracted and viewed from the side.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention each connecting member leg is of greater width than thickness and the wider portion is disposed at an oblique angle to the longitudinal centerline of the end member and when the linkage is contracted and viewed from the side the wider portion is substantially parallel to the outer wall of the link in which it is positioned. As in the prior art linkages, the connecting member legs are positioned between the resilient means and the outer walls of the links and they rotate against the pressure of the resilient means when the linkage is stretched Iongitu dinally from a contracted to an expanded position.

Thus a linkage embodying this invention is thin, has great expansibility, it can be used with mesh and other nonexpansible sections and is inexpensive to manufacture because fewer links are required to provide the necessary expansibility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmental side view partly in section showing part of a linkage embodying this invention with the parts in their contracted positions, the section being taken on the lines l-l ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. I but showing the parts in expanded positions, the section being taken on the lines 2-2 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view on a reduced scale of the linkage of FIG. ll, partly in section taken on the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view on a reduced scale of the linkage of FIG. 2, partly in section taken on the lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross section taken on the lines 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross section taken on the lines 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of the spring used in the links;

FIG. 8 is a perspective looking at the bottom of a top link showing :the manner in which the top shell is assembled to the top link;

FIG. 9 is a perspective of one of the connecting members used at one side of the linkage;

FIG. 10 is an end view of the connecting member of FIG. 9;

FIG. I1 is a top plan view of the connecting member of FIG.

FIG. I2 is an end view of one of the connecting members used at the other side ofthe linkage; and

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the connecting member of FIG. I2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 to 13 of the drawings, the linkage comprises a row of top links 10 and a row of bottom links 11 connected together by U-shaped connecting members 14, 15 which have legs 14a, 14b and 15a, 15b connected together by end members 140 and 150.

In contracted position the links 10 of the top row of links are not staggered with relation to the links 11 of the bottom row; instead, as shown in FIG. 1, the longitudinal centerlines of the links 10 are located substantially above the longitudinal centerlines of the links 1 1 when the linkage is viewed from the side.

As best shown in FIG. 8 each top link 10 includes an inner link 10a provided with notches 10b on its inner or bottom wall and a top shell 10c provided with tabs 10d which are bent into the notches to secure the top shell to the inner link 1011.

Flat springs 12 are located in the links of both rows of links (FIGS. -7). As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, they are seated upon the inner walls We and 11a of the links and act against the legs 14a, 14b and 15a, 15b of the connecting members.

Each pair of U-shaped connecting members 14 at one side of the linkage have their legs 14a located within link of the first row of links. The second leg 14b of one of this pair of U- shaped members is located within a first link 11 of the second row of links which is located below said first link of the first row and the second leg 14b of the second U-shaped member is located within a second link of the second row of links which is adjacent to said first link of the second row.

Each pair of U-shaped members at the opposite side of the linkage have first legs 15a located within said first link of the first row of links, the second leg 15b of one of these U- shaped members is located within the first link of the second row of links 11 which is below the first link of the first row and the second leg 15b of the other of this pair of U-shaped members 15 is located within said second link of the second row of links.

When the lii'tkage is in a contracted position and viewed from the side as in FIG. 1, the longitudinal axis of the leg 14a of a first connecting member of each pair is located at one side of the longitudinal centerline of the first link of the first row of links 10, the longitudinal axis of the other leg 14b of this connecting member is located at the opposite side of the longitudinal axis of said first link in the second row of links 11, the longitudinal axis of the leg 14a of the second connecting member of this pair of connecting members is located at the opposite side of the longitudinal centerline of the first link in the first row of links and the longitudinal axis of the other leg 14!) of the second connecting member of this pair is located at the side of the longitudinal centerline of said second link in the second row of links 11 which is towards the first link in the second row.

The arrangement of each pair of connecting members 15 at the opposite side of the linkage is the same as described for the connecting members 14.

In the resultant linkage the end members 14c and 15c of the connecting members are substantially parallel to each other and their longitudinal centerlines are inclined at an oblique angle to the outer surfaces of the linkage when it is contracted and viewed from the side as in FIG. 1.

This provides connecting members having end members which are longer than in the prior art linkages and because the end members are longer, the distances between the axes of the legs 14a, 14b and 15a, 15b respectively are greater and greater expansibility results from the use of the same number and size of links as in a prior art linkage where the longitudinal centerlines of the end members of the connecting members are substantially perpendicular to the outer surfaces of the linkage when it is contracted and viewed from the side.

Each connecting member leg is of greater width than thickness and the wider portion is disposed at an oblique angle to the longitudinal centerline of the end member as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 to 13 inclusive. When the linkage is contracted and viewed from the side as in FIG. 1, the wider portion is generally parallel to the outer wall of the link in which it is positioned.

As appears from FIGS, 1 and 5, when the linkage is contracted, there is only a very small space or gap between the surfaces of the inner walls We and 11a of the links.

As appears from FIGS. 10 and 12, the legs 14a and 14b of the connecting members 14 are inclined in a clockwise direction from the longitudinal centerline of the end and the legs 15a and 15b are inclined in a counterclockwise direction from the longitudinal centerline of the end 15c of the connecting member 15.

The tabs 10fand 11b on the ends of the links serve to hold the connecting members in the links.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a linkage embodying this invention is thin, has great expansibility, it can be used with mesh and other nonexpansible sections and is inexpensive to manufacture because fewer links are required to provide the necessary expansibility.

While one desirable embodiment of the invention as been shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that various changes in shape, proportion and arrangement of parts as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. An expansible linkage including in combination,

two rows of links, each link extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage and each link of one row having its longitudinal centerline located substantially above the longitudinal centerline of the corresponding link of the other row when the linkage is in its contracted position and viewed from the side,

means connecting each of the links of one row with two links of the other row to provide displacement of the links relative to each other lengthwise of the linkage when the linkage is stretched longitudinally from a contracted to an expanded position, and

resilient means associated with each of the links in at least one row of links for resisting said displacement of the links,

wherein the improvement comprises,

said connecting means comprising,

a first connecting member having a leg located within a first link of one row of links and extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage and means spaced from said leg for rotatably connecting the first connecting member to a first link in the other row which is located below said first link of said one row and,

a second connecting member having a leg located in said first link of said one row of links and extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage and means spaced from said leg for rotatably connecting the second connecting member to a second link in said other row which is located adjacent to said first link in said other row of links, and

said resilient means being associated with said first link of said one row and said legs of the first and second connecting members which are located therein.

2. A linkage according to claim 1 wherein when the linkage is in contracted position and viewed from the side, the longitudinal axis of the leg of the first connecting member is located at one side of the longitudinal centerline of said first link of said one row, said means spaced from said leg is located at the opposite side of the longitudinal centerline of said first link in said other row, the longitudinal axis of the leg of said second connecting member in said first link of said one row is located at the opposite side of said longitudinal centerline of said first link of said one row and said means spaced from said leg of said second connecting member is located at the side of the longitudinal centerline of said second link in said other row which is towards said first link in said other row.

3. A linkage according to claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises at least one leaf spring in each link of said one row acting between the inner wall of said first link of said one row and said first and second legs to urge them towards the outer wall of said first link.

4. An expansible linkage according to claim 1 wherein each connecting member includes an end member connecting the leg with said means spaced from the leg and the end members attached to the legs of the first and second connecting members are substantially parallel to each other and their longitudinal centerlines are inclined at an oblique angle to the outer surface of the linkage when it is contracted and viewed from the side.

5. An expansiblc linkage according to claim 4 wherein ouch leg is of greater width than thickness and the wider portion is disposed at an oblique angle to the longitudinal centerline of the end member and generally parallel to the outer wall of said first link of said one row when the linkage is contracted and viewed from the side.

6. An expansible linkage according to claim 5 wherein said legs are positioned between the resilient means and the outer wall of said first link of said one row when the linkage is con tracted and viewed from the side and they rotate against the pressure of the resilient means when the linkage is stretched longitudinally from a contracted to an expanded position.

7. An expansible linkage including in combination,

two rows of links, each link extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage and each link of one row having its longitudinal ccntorline located substantially above the longitudinal ccnterline of the cor" responding link of the other row when the linkage is in its contracted position and viewed from the side.

means connecting each of the links of one row with two links of the other row to provide displacement of the links relative to each other lengthwise of the linkage when the linkage is stretched longitudinally from a contracted to an expanded position, and

resilient means associated with each of the links in at least one row of links for resisting said displacement of the links.

wherein the improvement comprises.

said connecting means comprising.

first and second U-shaped members having first logs located within a first link of one row of links, the second leg of the first U-shapcd member being located within a first link of the other row of links which is located below said first link of said one row and the second leg of the second Ll-shnped member being located within a second link of said other row of links which is adjacent to said first link ofsuid other row. and third and fourth U-shaped members having first legs located within said first link of said one row of links near the opposite side of the linkage, the second leg of the third U-shaped member being located within said first link of said other row of links at said opposite side of the linkage and the second leg of the fourth U- shapcd member being located within said second link of said other row of links at said opposite side of the linkage.

said resilient means being associated with said links and said legs of the connecting members which are located therein.

8. A linkage according to claim 7 wherein when the linkage is in contracted position and viewed from the side, the longitudinnl axes of the first legs of the first and third connecting members are located at one side of the longitudinal centerline of said first link ct" said one row, the longitudinal axes of the second legs of the first and third connecting members are located at the opposite side of the longitudinal centerline of said first link in said other row, the longitudinal sites of the first is 8 ct said second and fourth connecting members are locate at the opposite side of said longitudinal centsrllnc of said first link of said one row and the longitudinal sites of said second legs of said second and fourth connecting members are located at the side of the longitudinal ccntcrlinc of said second link in said other row which is towards said first link in said other row. when the linkage is viewed from the El. A linknnc according to clnim 7 wherein said resilient means comprises at least one lent spring in each link noting between the inner walls oi said links and said legs to urge them towards the opposite wnlls ot" sold links.

lltl. An espensihle linkage according to claim '1 wherein each connecting member includes a crosspiccc connecting the legs and the crossplsccs are substantially parallel to each other and their longitudinal cnntsrlincs are inclined at an oblique angle to the outer surface of the linkage when it is contracted and viewed from the side.

ll. An ertpsnslblc linkage according. to claim ill wherein each leg is of greater width than thickness and the wider por tion is disposed at an oblique angle to the longitudinal centen line of the crosspiscc and generally parallel to the outer walls of the links when the linkage is contracted and viewed from the side.

lit. An ekpansibls linkage according to claim it wherein said legs are positioned between the resilient means and the outer walls of the links when the linkage is contracted and viewed from the side and they rotntc against the pressure of the resilient means when the linkage is stretched longitu dinally from n contracted to en expanded position. 

1. An expansible linkage including in combination, two rows of links, each link extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage and each link of one row having its longitudinal centerline located substantially above the longitudinal centerline of the corresponding link of the other row when the linkage is in its contracted position and viewed from the side, means connecting each of the links of one row with two links of the other row to provide displacement of the links relative to each other lengthwise of the linkage when the linkage is stretched longitudinally from a contracted to an expanded position, and resilient means associated with each of the links in at least one row of links for resisting said displacement of the links, wherein the improvement comprises, said connecting means comprising, a first connecting member having a leg located within a first link of one row of links and extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage and means spaced from said leg for rotatably connecting the first connecting member to a first link in the other row which is located below said first link of said one row and, a second connecting member having a leg located in said first link of said one row of links and extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage and means spaced from said leg for rotatably connecting the second connecting Pg,11 member to a second link in said other row which is located adjacent to said first link in said other row of links, and said resilient means being associated with said first link of said one row and said legs of the first and second connecting members which are located therein.
 2. A linkage according to claim 1 wherein when the linkage is in contracted position and viewed from the side, the longitudinal axis of the leg of the first connecting member is located at one side of the longitudinal centerline of said first link of said one row, said means spaced from said leg is located at the opposite side of the longitudinal centerline of said first link in said other row, the longitudinal axis of the leg of said second connecting member in said first link of said one row is located at the opposite side of said longitudinal centerline of said first link of said one row and said means spaced from said leg of said second connecting member is located at the side of the longitudinal centerline of said second link in said other row which is towards said first link in said other row.
 3. A linkage according to claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises at least one leaf spring in each link of said one row acting between the inner wall of said first link of said one row and said first and second legs to urge them towards the outer wall of said first link.
 4. An expansible linkage according to claim 1 wherein each connecting member includes an end member connecting the leg with said means spaced from the leg and the end members attached to the legs of the first and second connecting members are substantially parallel to each other and their longitudinal centerlines are inclined at an oblique angle to the outer surface of the linkage when it is contracted and viewed from the side.
 5. An expansible linkage according to claim 4 wherein each leg is of greater width than thickness and the wider portion is disposed at an oblique angle to the longitudinal centerline of the end member and generally parallel to the outer wall of said first link of said one row when the linkage is contracted and viewed from the side.
 6. An expansible linkage according to claim 5 wherein said legs are positioned between the resilient means and the outer wall of said first link of said one row when the linkage is contracted and viewed from the side and they rotate against the pressure of the resilient means when the linkage is stretched longitudinally from a contracted to an expanded position.
 7. An expansible linkage including in combination, two rows of links, each link extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage and each link of one row having its longitudinal centerline located substantially above the longitudinal centerline of the corresponding link of the other row when the linkage is in its contracted position and viewed from the side, means connecting each of the links of one row with two links of the other row to provide displacement of the links relative to each other lengthwise of the linkage when the linkage is stretched longitudinally from a contracted to an expanded position, and resilient means associated with each of the links in at least one row of links for resisting said displacement of the links, wherein the improvement comprises, said connecting means comprising, first and second U-shaped members having first legs located within a first link of one row of links, the second leg of the first U-shaped member being located within a first link of the other row of links which is located below said first link of said one row and the second leg of the second U-shaped member being located within a second link of said other row of links which is adjacent to said first link of said other row, and third and fourth U-shaped members having first legs located within said first link of said one row of links near the opposite side of the linkage, the second leg of the third U-shaped member being located within saiD first link of said other row of links at said opposite side of the linkage and the second leg of the fourth U-shaped member being located within said second link of said other row of links at said opposite side of the linkage, said resilient means being associated with said links and said legs of the connecting members which are located therein.
 8. A linkage according to claim 7 wherein when the linkage is in contracted position and viewed from the side, the longitudinal axes of the first legs of the first and third connecting members are located at one side of the longitudinal centerline of said first link of said one row, the longitudinal axes of the second legs of the first and third connecting members are located at the opposite side of the longitudinal centerline of said first link in said other row, the longitudinal axes of the first legs of said second and fourth connecting members are located at the opposite side of said longitudinal centerline of said first link of said one row and the longitudinal axes of said second legs of said second and fourth connecting members are located at the side of the longitudinal centerline of said second link in said other row which is towards said first link in said other row, when the linkage is viewed from the
 9. A linkage according to claim 7 wherein said resilient means comprises at least one leaf spring in each link acting between the inner walls of said links and said legs to urge them towards the opposite walls of said links.
 10. An expansible linkage according to claim 7 wherein each connecting member includes a crosspiece connecting the legs and the crosspieces are substantially parallel to each other and their longitudinal centerlines are inclined at an oblique angle to the outer surface of the linkage when it is contracted and viewed from the side.
 11. An expansible linkage according to claim 10 wherein each leg is of greater width than thickness and the wider portion is disposed at an oblique angle to the longitudinal centerline of the crosspiece and generally parallel to the outer walls of the links when the linkage is contracted and viewed from the side.
 12. An expansible linkage according to claim 11 wherein said legs are positioned between the resilient means and the outer walls of the links when the linkage is contracted and viewed from the side and they rotate against the pressure of the resilient means when the linkage is stretched longitudinally from a contracted to an expanded position. 